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Final test event for World Cup opener postponed

Published on NewsOK
Modified: May 21, 2014 at 10:10 pm •
Published: May 21, 2014

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SAO PAULO (AP) — FIFA and local organizers have postponed the final test event at the troubled World Cup stadium in Sao Paulo, raising fresh uncertainty about Brazil's readiness to stage the tournament opener in the city.

Corinthians's and Figueirense battle it out during a Brazilian soccer league match at the Itaquerao, the still unfinished stadium that will host the World Cup opener match between Brazil and Croatia on June 12, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sunday, May 18, 2014. Only 40,000 tickets were put on sale for Corinthians' match against Figueirense because some of the 20,000 temporary seats needed for the World Cup opener are still being installed. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

Following concerns from local authorities, FIFA said Wednesday that a test match scheduled for May 29, a Thursday, has been moved to the following Sunday to avoid disrupting the city's "operational routine" on a working day.

Soccer's governing body said it also decided to stage the game on a weekend to "ensure it attracts more than 50,000" fans needed to properly test the venue.

Less than 40,000 people attended the first test match at the Itaquerao stadium in Sao Paulo last weekend, when the 20,000 temporary seats being added for the opening game of the tournament couldn't be used.

The new test event will be staged less than two weeks before the high-profile opener between Brazil and Croatia on June 12, when 70,000 fans and guests are expected.

"It (is) vital for us that all facilities will be tested under full match conditions," FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke said on Twitter. "Including the temporary seats (and) associated facilities."

The change in date comes amid a bus strike in Sao Paulo that has created chaos for people trying to get to work in the South American metropolis already known for its terrible rush-hour traffic.

FIFA said in a statement that it was a "request from local authorities" to have the match on a weekend to "reduce the impact on the city's operational routine."

The World Cup opener will also fall on a Thursday, but city officials are expected to declare holidays on match days during the tournament.

FIFA said it was important to have another test match at the Itaquerao "given the attention drawn from the opening match."